By Denis Sheehan, Publisher, H&C News: Dorset charity champions education on the food cycle from seed to plate.
Community members including local councillors, charity staff and trustees, funders, volunteers, and gardening enthusiasts gathered outside The CRUMBS Project training centre on a bright summers day to celebrate the achievements of all those involved in establishing a new Community Kitchen Garden.
Initiated at the start of 2022, the garden provides opportunities for patrons of the disability training charity, The CRUMBS Project, to participate in gardening and to learn and gain confidence in growing their own produce in a wildlife-friendly fashion.
With financial support from the Asda Foundation, B&Q Foundation, and Screwfix Foundation, who all recognised the importance of developing community initiatives promoting understanding of the environment, the garden is designed to teach disadvantaged adults about growing different types of seasonal produce and broaden their awareness and education of horticulture.
Trainees and staff from The CRUMBS Project were joined by representatives from other local charities, Cherry Tree Nursery, and Transition Bourmemouth who were both involved in the design and planning of the Community Kitchen Garden, to celebrate the collective achievements of those involved.
The garden was officially opened by the Major of Bournemouth, Councillor Bob Lawton, who spoke about the importance of learning about where food comes from saying: “CRUMBS is a fantastic Bournemouth organisation whose trainees are really pleased to be here and be given this opportunity to learn more about using a valuable green space in the city to extend their learning of the food cycle and see it growing from seed to plate”.
To learn more about training and development opportunities provided by The CRUMBS Project visit www.crumbs.org.uk